- One of KQ's Boeing 787-8 planes was headed to London on Thursday, April 16, carrying over 40 tonnes of fresh produce

- Airline's CEO, Allan Kilavuka, said expanding cargo services would help KQ earn some more revenue after passenger flights were grounded

- Almost all airlines in the world are struggling following travel restrictions issued to curb the spread of coronavirus which has killed over 130,000 people

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has converted four of its wide-body passenger aircraft to cargo flights to help in the movement of essential supplies across the world.

The airline's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allan Kilavuka, said on Thursday, April 16, that the move will not only improve freight movement but also boost KQ's revenue base at this time when passenger operations have been grounded by the coronavirus pandemic.

Kilavuka added the airline would help plug freight shortage in Africa which was caused when major players started concentrating on serving America and Europe.

"We are exploring different options to keep the lights on in the organisation, cargo is one of those areas. We have converted four of our wide-body aircraft to cargo aircraft. We are also looking at the narrow-body aircraft for shorter missions across Africa.

There is demand for cargo aircraft across the world with the main freighters operating mostly in Europe and America creating a shortage in Africa," said Kilavuka.

TUKO.co.ke learnt one of KQ's Boeing 787-8 planes, which had been turned into a cargo carrier, was headed to London on Thursday, April 16, carrying over 40 tonnes of fresh produce.

"The airline is a key strategic asset and will be one of the catalysts for the rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic. We are therefore positioning ourselves to be ready for the bounce back," the CEO said.

Some of the fresh produce set to be exported to Europe by KQ. Photo: Alex Chamwada.Source: UGC

As earlier reported, the airline had protested a decision to hand a cargo transportation deal to its rival, Ethiopian Airlines.

On Tuesday, April 14, Ethiopian Airlines announced that the United Nations (UN) had given it a deal to move material used in the fight against coronavirus across Africa.